Press Release Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 25, 2008

For More Information Contact
Christine Vilardo
Ardmore Initiative
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Tel: 610-645-0540
Fax: 610-645-0662
christine@theardmoreinitiative.org


The Ardmore Initiative Announces Award Winners

Ardmore, PA —The first winner of the the Charles F. Ward Service to Ardmore Award is Nancy Gold, owner of King's Collar Shirtmakers in Ardmore. Nancy's contributions to Ardmore are too numerous to count. She served as President of the Ardmore Business Association from 2000-2007 and as Board member and Secretary of The Ardmore Initiative. She spearheaded Ardmore's holiday radio campaign, the Ardmore "A" and holiday snowflake lights. She oversaw several Caribbean Festivals & a Health & Wellness Fair, increased membership & communication within the Ardmore Business Association, was an active and effective fundraiser for the Ardmore Initiative and is Ardmore's most enthusiastic cheerleader. In addition to her work with the Initiative and with the Business Association, Nancy is a founding member of and fundraiser for First Friday Main Line and she has been a staunch advocate for Ardmore's Revitalization.

The "Charlie" award is intended to honor someone whose attributes emulate those of Charlie Ward, past President of Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners and Founding Chairman of the Ardmore Business District Authority, the Ardmore Initiative. First and foremost, the winner should emulate Charlie and the manner in which he did and continues to conduct himself -words such as selflessness, courage, integrity, leadership and kindness describe some of the appropriate attributes.

Additionally, the awards dinner will recognize those individuals and organizations which have made substantial contributions to the Ardmore Initiative and to the downtown business district.

The "Community Bright Spot" award for best façade improvement goes to the recently renovated Junior League Thrift Shop and to architect Jeff Martin of JTA Associates in Wayne. "Jeff did all of the design work pro-bono and Jr. League agreed to serve as the case study for the Ardmore's Initiative's Renovation Assistance Handbook which is available to help building & property owners navigate through the Township's permit and approval process. Junior League invested over $100,000 in to this renovation which has set the bar for historically accurate, aesthetically pleasing facade improvements." Says Mike Silver, Chair of the Ardmore Initiative.

The award for "Community Energizer" goes to Sherry Tillman & the volunteers of First Friday Main Line. Sherry and the Board of Directors of FFML have worked tirelessly since October 2006 to bring a monthly arts & culture event showcasing a wide range of artistic talent to the Main Line communities of Ardmore, Bryn Mawr & Haverford.

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